Carol Ostrow: Inspire, Perspire and Keep Your Eyes Peeled

What do you think are the three most important traits that successful entrepreneurs have?

1. Inspiration, i.e. Passion–You got to have that vision and you got to believe it. This is the most important trait of a successful entrepreneur.

2. Perspiration, i.e. Persistence–OK you have a vision, now what? You have to work… hard. That means sweat it out, the days when nothing goes right, the days when you lose–a play, an actor or get a bad review in the Times. You can’t give up or give in.

3. Double Vision—Keep your nose to the grindstone and your eye on the horizon. You have to pay attention to details while also maintaining the vision for the organization. You have to play on the team but also lead the team. It’s hard but pays off.

Carol Ostrow is the producing director of The Flea Theater in New York City.